MLB sets a new single-season HR record  —  When Jonathan Villar took Caleb Ferguson deep at 9:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, baseball history was made.  —  Villar's three-run blast — which gave the Orioles a 5-2 lead against the Dodgers in the seventh inning …

‘We have no choice’: Success of Dodgers, Astros has MLB teams scrambling to keep up  —  BALTIMORE - Baseball's hyperactive transformation has played out at least partially in the public eye, be it a lopsided defensive shift, an exotic breaking pitch thrown in a 3- count or a uniformed coach …

Say goodbye to J.D. and Mookie?  Red Sox payroll decisions are about to get ugly  —  Red Sox ownership really wants to reset the luxury-tax clock, then the new GM should expect the following item to be missing from his new office: a checkbook.  —  For the Red Sox actually to drop below …

After honoring 9/11 first responders, Mets score 9 runs on 11 hits in rout of Arizona Diamondbacks  —  On the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and with the memorial lit up by two bright beams in the distance, the Mets recorded nine runs and 11 hits.  The commemorative evening helped lead …

Dodgers Activate Rich Hill, Designate Jaime Schultz  —  The Dodgers have officially activated veteran left-hander Rich Hill from the 60-day injured list, as Hill will start tonight's game against the Orioles.  To create roster space, right-hander Jaime Schultz has been designated for assignment.

Zimmerman, Strasburg lead Nationals past Twins 6-2  —  Ryan Zimmerman homered and drove in three runs in support of  —  Washington Nationals six strong innings to beat the  —  Minnesota Twins 6-2 on Wednesday night for just their third win in the last nine games.

Rangers' deal with top Dominican prospect is official.  Mazara, Guzman have advice.  —  The thing that stands out about Bayron Lora is how high he stands.  —  He is big for a full-grown man, let alone a 16-year-old who on Wednesday became a millionaire after passing a physical exam.

Latest On Garrett Richards  —  Having scored a 10-year, $300MM contract, Manny Machado was easily the Padres' biggest free-agent signing last winter.  Long before that addition, though, the Padres made headlines by awarding right-hander Garrett Richards a two-year, $15.5MM guarantee.

Senzatela's strong outing leads Rockies past Cards 2-1  —  Antonio Senzatela pitched six strong innings for his first win in two months,  —  Ian Desmond hit a go-ahead home run and the  —  St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 Wednesday night.  —  It was the second straight 2-1 victory for the Rockies …

Moustakas hits 2 HRs, Brewers minus Yelich top Marlins 7-5  —  Mike Moustakas homered twice, including a tiebreaking, two-run shot in the ninth inning as the  —  Miami Marlins 7-5 Wednesday night in their first game following star outfielder  —  Christian Yelich's season-ending injury.

NFL will consider placing Antonio Brown on paid leave and making him ineligible to play  —  The NFL will give serious consideration to placing Antonio Brown on paid leave via its commissioner's exempt list, according to multiple people familiar with the situation, after he was accused …

Cueto dazzles in season debut, Giants beat Pirates 5-4  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Cap on backward, Johnny Cueto punctuated his pitches with confident head shakes and fist pumps.  —  “Dia De Cueto,” read the sign held by one of his sons.  —  The Day of Cueto, indeed.

Latest On Aaron Hicks  —  The Yankees seem increasingly unlikely to receive a late-season (or postseason) contribution from outfielder Aaron Hicks.  He's slated to rest for several more weeks after a visit to the offices of Dr. Neal ElAttrache, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links).